Paypal EIN and SSN Help

I recently got the email that my Paypal is at risk of limitation if I don't upload my SSN or EIN for tax purposes. I've sold about 3k on eBay in two months. I was suspended indefinitely from eBay in 2008 when I was 18 and selling things I shouldn't have been. Since then, I've made new eBay and Paypal accounts with a new married name and address in a new state. I follow the books now 100% and am not breaking any rules.

I don't think I can use my SSN at risk of linking Paypal to my old eBay account. I called the IRS about applying for an EIN number, and was told that I already have an EIN number from my eBay account in 2008. I don't remember registering this, but I suppose I did! Now I'm not sure how to get past the limitation - I assume I have around 30 days to figure out how to enter an SSN or EIN. Is there anything I can do?

• Ask the IRS to search for your EIN by calling the Business & Specialty Tax Line at (800) 829-4933. The hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday. An assistor will ask you for identifying information and provide the number to you over the telephone, as long as you are a person who is authorized to receive it. Examples of an authorized person include, but are not limited to, a sole proprietor, a partner in a partnership, a corporate officer, a trustee of a trust, or an executor of an estate.

https://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Lost-or-Misplaced-Your-EIN

Yes, thank you, I actually have the EIN number, I just assume it will link the accounts together from my old suspended eBay in 2008. I assume Paypal will report this to eBay linking my new good account to the old bad one. I'm wondering if anyone has any insight as to what I can provide for them.

popupvideo said:

Yes, thank you, I actually have the EIN number, I just assume it will link the accounts together from my old suspended eBay in 2008. I assume Paypal will report this to eBay linking my new good account to the old bad one. I'm wondering if anyone has any insight as to what I can provide for them.

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Sorry, I misunderstood.

If you are concerned about them tying things together at ebay/pp, how about setting up another DBA using a variation of your name?

Your current DBA - Joe Smith
Your new DBA - Joe <middle name> Smith

No problem! Thanks for your insight. It's not my name that is an issue, I have an entire new legal name from the bad account. The issue is my EIN and SSN linking Paypal back to the old eBay. I looked up using a DBA and my EIN would unfortunately stay the same..

After doing a lot of research, I think my best option is to not accept Paypal and use another merchant. Can anyone walk me through the steps of how to do this? I wanted to use Cheddar Getter because their fees are low, but I'm not sure how to connect eBay to CG. I want to use something NOT associated with Paypal. Thanks in advance.

The fact of the matter is, is that without paypal you will have a harder time making sales. EBay is in bed with PayPal and they really push it o all the customers, tough to do business with out it.

popupvideo said:

After doing a lot of research, I think my best option is to not accept Paypal and use another merchant.

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Doing business on eBay and not accepting paypal is not a viable strategy, IMO.

Without paypal with evay your business will take a heavy loss in sales 99% of
users that buy from ebay only becouse of paypal great guarantees.

BassTrackerBoats said:

Sorry, I misunderstood.

If you are concerned about them tying things together at ebay/pp, how about setting up another DBA using a variation of your name?

Your current DBA - Joe Smith
Your new DBA - Joe <middle name> Smith

Click to expand...

Does a DBA need to be registered under a company name?

thebomb said:

Does a DBA need to be registered under a company name?

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The company name can be your name. Joseph Smith Doing Business as Joe Smith.

Different States in the USA are going to have different restrictions/requirements but you can register a DBA in Florida for about 50.00 or so I believe.